Pneumatic dispatch carrier



June 23, 1931. D. .1. MacMlLLN PNEUMATIC DI SPATCH CRRIER Filed April 41930 Patented `lune 23,1931

U/NETED STATES DANIEL J. M ACMILLAN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW' YORK PNEUMATICDISPATCH CARRIER i Application aie@ April 4, 1930, serieu no. 441,485'.

This invention has reference to the carf riers used for conveying smallarticles, such as slips, documents or money, through tubes from one partof a` building to another', or to remote locations, by causing a rapidcurrent of air to flow through the tubes, by either pressure or exhaust.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple form ofcarrier with indicating means, such as numbers, to show certain facts ordata rel'ative to the contents of the carrier, or to its sender, or toits use. A further object of the invent-ion is to provide a carrier ofthis nature with several indicating rings or bands that can be turned toform combinations of numerals; and which bands are provided withfriction means to retain them in the adjusted posi# tions.

In the accompanying drawings showing embodiments of my invention Fig. 1is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is an endview at the open end. Fig. l is a partial view, cut away to show thefriction bands for the rings.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, showing the latter parts.

As shown in the drawing I provide an inner tube 6, that is preferablyformed of fiber having a comparatively thin wall, that is rigid, andwhich extends substantially the length of the carrier. At themiddl'e'portion of this inner tube T arranged a pair of flat rings 7 and8, that can be turned on the inner tube, and which carry numbers from Oto 9 on the periphery of each, as shown. These can be relatively turnedtoindicate any number from l to 99.

The inner tube carries an outer tube in two portions, each extendingfrom one of these rings to the end of the carrier. As shown an outertube 9, of somewhat thicker wall and preferably formed of fiber, isplaced on the inner tube to extend from the ring 8 to the open end lO ofthe carrier, and this outer tube is suitably secured to the inner tube,as by an adhesive between the contacting walls. A similar outer tube 11is mounted 5o and secured on the innertube 6 to extend Vjusted.

from the other ring 7 tothe end of the carrier. This outer -tube 11 isshown as projecting beyond the inner tube 6 at this end, to permitinsertion of an end disk 12, inside of the said tube 11, and which`abuts the end of the inner tube 6, and suitably secured so that the disk12 is flush with the end of the outer tube 11. i

' Carriers of this character are provided Vwith bumper rings or bands atthe ends'as 6e 15 and 16, that engage the walls of the tube vthroughwhich the carrier passes, and may be formed of felt or similar softinaterialY that will'makea tight( fitin the tube yand prevent escape ofthe air, at thesamevtime have a kind of cushioning effect.

The outer tubes 9 and 11, or one of them, are providedwith anindicationV such as a mark, 13 and 14:, with which the numbers on thebands are brought to aline, when a'd- 70 j usted to the desiredposition. It will be understoodthat the number `bands 7 and 8' turn onthe inner tube independent of each other, but with sufficient vfrictionto remain in'adjusted positions relative to each other, 75 and lto theindicating marks. It willbe understood that these bands are practicallyflush with the vouter tubes 9 and 11 on their faces, and will not engagethe conveying tube. The carrier can be readily clasped by the user ateither end, and oner or both ofthe number rings turned to bring thedesired number, from 1 to 99, to register with thek marks. A

Tf desired, a friction device can be em- S5 ployedv in connection withthe number rings, and as shown a band ring 17 of very thin springmeta-l, that is split and the ends slightly separated, are insertedbetween each of the bands 7 and 8, on the inner tube 6, 90 as clearlyshown in Figs. 4 and 5. This will provide a. very strong rfrictionalengage-` ment of the lband with the inner tube, and retain the band inany position to which ad-V It will be understood ythat tubes of thischaracter are comparatively simple and of low cost to produce,comprising merely the long inner tube, and the two outer tubes securedto thev inner tube, Withfthe Vfriction pair of comparatively narrowrings ar-v ranged to turn on the inner tube and provided with numeralson their periphery, a

pair of outer tubes of thicker material than the inner tubes, onemounted between the end of the carrier and the said rings at eachend'portion and secured to the inner tube, one of the outer tubes havinga mark arranged to register with the numerals on the rings, a closurefor one end of the tube, a bumper ring mounted lon each said Vouter tubeat the end portion, and .a split ring of very thin spring metal placedbetween each said number ring and the inner tube to provide friction toretain the number ring in adjusted positions.

2. A dispatch carrier, comprising a rigid inner tube of comparativelythin walls, a pair ofV comparatively narrow rings arranged to turn onthe inner tube and provided with numerals on their periphery, a pairiofouter tubes of thicker material than `the inner tubes one mountedbetween the end of the carrier and the said rings at each end portionand secured to the inner tube, one of the outer tubes having a markarranged to register with the numerals on the rings, av closure for oneend of the tube, and af bumper ring mounted on each said outer tube, atthe end portion, said rings being substantially Vflush with the adacentouter tubes.

3. lA dispatch carrier, comprising a rigid inner tube of comparativelythin walls, a

' pair of comparatively narrow rings arranged to turn on the inner tubeand provided with numerals on their periphery, a pair of outer tubes ofthicker material than the inner' tubes, one mounted between the end ofthe carrier and the said rings at each Vend portion and secured to theinner tube,

one of the Vouter tubes having a mark arranged to register with thenumerals on the rings, a closure for one end of the tube, a bumper ringmounted on each said outer tube at the end portion, and a split ring ofvery thin spring metal placed between each said number ring and theinner tube to provide friction to retain the number ring in adjustedposition, said rings being substantially flush with the adjacent outertubes.

4. A dispatch carrier having a tubular body provided with acircumferential groove `intermediate its ends and having an indexadjacent said groove, a plurality of member rings mounted in said grooveside-by side and adapted for independent movement circumferentially ofthe tube, and a thin a1'- cuate split friction spring interposed betweeneach ring and the bottom of the groove.

Signed at New York city, N. Y. on March 31, 1930.

' DANIEL J. MAGMILLAN.

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